Monday, September 12, 2011

DIY Play Tent

I have been trying to look around our house with a child's eye view lately, and I have been thinking about what it would be like to be less than three feet tall and live in a home with 10 foot ceilings. One of the homeschool curriculums that I have looked at recommended making a space that would feel cozy and den-like for a child to relax and play in. One of my own favorite memories was building play forts as a child! When I saw this tent tutorial on Ana White's website, I thought that Dmitri would love it! I also felt that form could meet function, and that I could make a tent that was child-friendly and fun, yet I would not be embarrassed to set up in my living room. I was lucky to have leftover fabric from my master bedroom curtains, and I used a drop cloth for the sides. Here it is:

From the front

A side view

Dmitri loves it!

Peeking out

Sookie does not want to miss out on the action! Also, her favorite sleeping chair is inside...

Total cost: about $20 (we already had the paint & some of the fabric on hand)

Total time: 3-4 hours

Tools required: Drill/Electric screwdriver, Wrench, Staple gun, Iron (or sewing machine if you would prefer not to use stitch-witchery...as for me, I find any excuse to skip a needle and thread!)

I hope that the boys get to enjoy the little child-sized magical space of their own.

I have been asked about how I did the front of the tent...After I measured and cut the fabric into a triangle, I cut a slit down the middle of the bottom for the opening. I then "hemmed" the bottom and both sides of the slit with stitch-witchery (the iron-able hemming tape). I stapled the sides to the inside of the tent. And badabing. That's it! Does that make sense? Feel free to ask more questions. I usually respond via email, unless your email is set to a "no-reply".

So cute! This brings back so many memories because my aunt made me a play tent just like this when I was growing up. I used it all the time! I think my parents still have it - so I can't wait to give it to my future children!! Your boys will have lots of fun in it for many years to come!

Hi there, I would like to make this awesome tent, and I love the idea of a front fabric door like you did. Can you tell me the measurements for the widest part of the fabric front? At the bottom, so I know how much fabric to buy? I need to make sure my fabric choice fits, as it has a horizontal scene, and it may only be 44 inches wide, is that too short width wise, or does the tent open up that wide, or less, or more? Thanks, anyway, the long and short of it is, can you tell me the widest measurement at the bottom for the fabric door, such as how far the tent opens wide. Thanks so much!Nitasia

I absolutely love this tent! I have been looking for things that I can make for my 15 month old daughter.We just moved into an apartment, and her room is just so bare and empty and white. I really want to make her room her's, and into some place where she can have fun, and grow and play, and imagine.I love this little hideaway. I can't wait to make this. I am so excited.Thank you so much for posting this.

Melly Queen, the mommy of one little munchkin who is about to get the best tent EVER!